(A) The chancellor of higher education may enter into a reciprocity agreement with the midwestern higher education compact whereby the agreement provides for both of the following:
(1) A participating institution in Ohio may enroll residents of a participating state in distance education programs at that institution without attaining prior approval from the appropriate agency of that participating state.
(2) A participating institution in another state may enroll Ohio residents in distance education programs at that institution without attaining prior approval from the chancellor.
(B) Under the terms of an agreement, the chancellor may do any of the following:
(1) Apply on behalf of the state of Ohio to become an eligible state to participate in the agreement;
(2) Designate the department of higher education as the lead agency to ensure that Ohio meets the eligibility requirements of the agreement, as determined by the midwestern higher education compact;
(3) Develop criteria and procedures for eligible institutions in Ohio to apply to participate in the agreement and for their continued participation in the agreement;
(4) Assess and collect fees, pursuant to rules adopted by the chancellor under Chapter 119. of the Revised Code, from participating institutions in Ohio;
(5) Collect annual data, as prescribed by the chancellor or as required by the midwestern higher education compact, from participating institutions in Ohio;
(6) Develop a student grievance process to resolve complaints brought against participating institutions in Ohio in regard to the distance education programs that are eligible under the terms of the agreement;
(7) Work collaboratively with the state board of career colleges and schools to determine the eligibility of institutions authorized by that agency under section 3332.05 of the Revised Code for initial and continued participation in the agreement;
(8) Perform other duties and responsibilities as required for participation in the agreement.
(C) Any eligible institution in Ohio that wishes to participate in the agreement entered into under this section shall first attain approval for inclusion in the agreement from the chancellor. Thereafter, a participating institution in Ohio shall attain approval from the chancellor for any new distance education programs offered by that institution prior to enrolling residents of a participating state in such programs under the terms of the agreement.
(D) All other post-secondary activity that requires the chancellor's approval and is not included under the terms of the agreement entered into under this section is subject to the chancellor's review and approval pursuant to Chapters 1713. and 3333. of the Revised Code.
(E) The chancellor may terminate the agreement entered into under this section or remove the department as the lead agency on the agreement, if the chancellor determines that the agreement is not in the best interest of the state or the board.
(F) For purposes of this section:
(1) "Eligible institution in Ohio" is any of the following types of institutions, as long as it is degree-granting and is accredited by an accrediting agency recognized by the United States secretary of education:
(a) A state institution of higher education as defined in section 3345.011 of the Revised Code;
(b) An Ohio institution of higher education that has received a certificate of authorization pursuant to Chapter 1713. of the Revised Code;
(c) An Ohio institution of higher education authorized by the state board of career colleges and schools under section 3332.05 of the Revised Code.
(2) "Participating institution in Ohio" is any "eligible institution in Ohio" that has been approved by the chancellor for participation in the agreement entered into under this section.
(3) "Participating institution in another state" is any institution of higher education that is located outside of Ohio that meets the eligibility requirements under the terms of a similar reciprocity agreement and is approved by the appropriate agency of that institution's home state to participate in an agreement entered into with the midwestern higher education compact, the New England board of higher education, the southern regional education board, or the western interstate commission for higher education.
Amended by 131st General Assembly File No. TBD, HB 64, §101.01, eff. 9/29/2015.
Added by 130th General Assembly File No. TBD, HB 484, §1, eff. 9/4/2014.
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